New RSU student hostel officially opened!

The symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly constructed RSU student hostel was held on 13 December. The new student accommodation on 5 Dārza iela marks a new beginning, as it is the first student hostel built from the ground up in the restored Republic of Latvia.

The new building perfectly aligns with the RSU study and research complex in the territory of the RSU main building and offers 135 fully-furnished, functional and modern suites, four of which are adjusted to the needs of people with disabilities. RSU has invested over 4.5 million EUR of its own funds in the construction of the building.

The ceremony was attended by RSU rector Prof. Jānis Gardovskis, the Minister for Health Anda Čakša, the chairperson of the RSU Student Union Natālija Šilova and the chairperson of the construction company Velve Ainārs Leitēns.

The new hostel is unique not only because it is the first student accommodation built from the ground up after regaining independence, it is also an excellent combination of functional and modern design and infrastructure. The new hostel is the so-called “smart house”, incorporating sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies and solutions. In his address, RSU rector, Prof. Jānis Gardovskis shared his conviction that the new hostel will provide excellent accommodation for both international and local students.  

The Minister of Health Anda Čakša approved the strategic path taken by RSU, striving to develop the potential of medical education, its export and concurrently also the competitiveness of Latvia.  According to Čakša, the new student hostel is an excellent example of how to successfully attract foreign students, offering not only quality education but also good living conditions.  

The attendees were also addressed by the chair of RSU Student Union Natālija Šilova, who highlighted the social importance of the new hostel, noting that, "RSU is a rapidly growing university - increasing student numbers and  infrastructure development are proof of this. The new student hostel is a vital step towards improving of the social environment. At times, we forget that students do not spend their entire time reading books; they also are involved in various leisure activities, social and creative events, make friends and start a family. The new hostel is a place for growth not only professionally but also for the developing of personal qualities.”

The recently completed student accommodation, covering approximately 5400 sqm is a modern three-storey building with underground parking facilities and 135 suites accommodating up to 220 persons. The hostel offers study and recreation facilities, lockable bicycle storage, parking for up to 70 cars, including 4 electric cars, as well as laundry and sports facilities in the basement.

The development of the construction project, construction of the building, site supervision and post-construction guarantees are provided by SIA Velve. The construction of the hostel took approximately one year, a time capsule was immured in the foundation of the hostel on 12 December and the topping out ceremony was held on 7 June.

The new student hostel supplements the study and research complex at Dzirciema iela with new infrastructure, offering the RSU student community of over 8000 students, of whom 1900 are international students, new and functional housing facilities next door to the university’s central building. We have also landscaped the area between the central building and the student hostel to serve recreational purposes and for open-air events organised by the university.